Chapter 33:
The Joys of Christmas
****CHRISTMAS DAY****
Howie knocked on Bianca's door and
waited for her to answer.
"Hey, Howie. What's going
on?" Bianca asked in a cheery tone.
"I was just gonna walk you
down to the dinner party. You look beautiful."
Bianca gleamed inwardly. She had
spent a lot of time deciding on the perfect evening gown for tonight’s formal
Jive dinner. She couldn't wait to see nick in his tux. She was planning on
tonight being very special for them.
As she walked arm-in-arm with Howie
through the ballroom's frosted glass double doors, she was in awe of the
splendor of the room. Chandeliers covered the ceiling and the walls were
cascaded with mirrors. She smiled up at Nick as she took her seat next to him
at the long banquet table.
Everyone looked so nice; even Kevin
had managed to stay sober for the evening--so far. James Jive stood from his
seat at the head of the table and strode over to the huge podium to begin the
presentation ceremony.
Right before Bianca's turn to be
called, James returned to his seat. Nick took his place at the podium, adjusted
the mic and began to speak.
"I'm really proud to be able
to give my girl-friend her Christmas present from Jive records. So, I guess,
I'd like for her to come up and get it."
Bianca rose from her seat and
walked up the aisle in her long, green satin gown. Nick kissed her lightly and
handed her a small box. Opening it, she found a set of keys and a picture of a
gorgeous hunter green Camaro. A big white bow was on top and the sign in front
said "Merry Christmas, Bean!!"
"Merry Christmas, baby,"
Nick whispered. "It's waiting for you at my house in Florida."
For the first time she could
remember, Bianca was rendered completely speechless. 'Eat your heart out,
Britney. All you got for Christmas was a diamond necklace,' Bianca thought
evilly as she looked at the picture in shock. She had never had her very own
car before. Stunned, she leaned into the microphone and stammered, "Thank
you so much. This is so much more than I was expecting; I just don't know what
to say."
Nick took her hand and led her back
to her seat. Wrapping his arm around her, they listened as James delivered his
closing speech and dismissed the party.
****************
Kevin leaned back against the
elevator wall and watched the numbers fly by. 21, 22, 23; he would be back in
his room on the 30th floor in no time. He needed a drink badly and as soon as
he tried to talk to Brianna he would have one. He hadn't talked to her since
the day she left and he needed to at least hear her voice on Christmas. Then,
he wanted to drink himself into oblivion and completely forget that he was
spending the holiday alone.
Kevin walked into his room and
headed straight for the telephone. Lifting the receiver he said, "Well,
boo, here goes nothing."
"No, baby, here goes
everything." The voice startled Kevin. He was afraid to turn around,
scared he would find that there was nothing there. His fears were wrong.
Leaning against the small table on
the other side of the large room was Brianna, looking twice as beautiful as he
remembered. Walking over to her, he ran his hand across her cheek to make sure
she was real. With tears running, he threw his arms around her and buried his
face in her neck.
Brianna collapsed in his arms and
clung to him tightly. She could feel his long, wet lashes fluttering against
her cheek as he blinked away tears. They stood there, afraid to move, for what
seemed like forever. Finally, Kevin stirred.
Pressing his forehead to hers, he
asked in a low whisper, "Why did you leave me, Brianna?"
His words shattered her heart.
"Kevin, I was so scared; I didn't know what else to do. I had to get
away." Drawing in a deep breath, she added, "Baby, we need to
talk."
"Brianna, what's wrong? Please
don't say you're leaving me for good. I don't think I could take that."
Brianna was silent and Kevin was scared.
Baby, the whole month you were gone
was hell for me. I woke up every night in agony because you weren't wrapped up
with me. The only comfort I had was knowing that you were missing me as much as
I was missing you." Kevin took her hands in his and kissed them. Closing
his eyes, he added, "I hated waking up and not seeing your face.
"I'm so sorry. I needed you
just that bad, but...I'm six weeks pregnant. Kevin, you're gonna be a
daddy." Brianna could feel her heart thudding in her chest as she watched
his face fall.
"I was scared to tell you. But
I was forced to decide, Kevin, and I'm keeping it. I've always wanted a family.
I just can't bring myself to give our baby away and I refuse to kill it. All I
ask is that, if you don't want this as much as I do, you tell me now before I
get my hopes up about raising our family together." She was terrified that
he wouldn't be happy.
Kevin dropped to his knees,
brushing his lips against the soft skin of her stomach exposed by her halter
top and low-slung skirt. Looking up at her, he gave her a reassuring smile.
"That's my baby? Our baby?" Brianna nodded. Kevin stood up and spun
Brianna around. He set her down quickly and looked concerned. "Oh, God,
baby. I'm sorry; I shouldn't have done that. Here, you need to lie down. You'll
have to be careful now."
Brianna smiled as Kevin walked her
over to the bed and pulled her into his arms. "I love you, Boo. I've
missed you so much," he said as his tears started flowing again. Before
she could respond, Kevin tilted her chin up and kissed her softly.
"I love you too, Kevin." she
whispered in his ear. "It feels to good to be back."
Kevin kissed her neck gently and
ran his hands down her arms. Lacing his fingers through hers, he looked down at
her with his shiny green eyes. "Let me make love to you, Brianna. I mean,
we've got something to celebrate and...I need you right now."
Brianna closed her eyes. "I
need you, too."
They undressed each other slowly,
taking in everything as if it were the first time. As Kevin nibbled her earlobe
Brianna told him, "Baby, every night I would dream about you. It was like
I could close my eyes and feel you over me, in me. I missed having your body
against mine. Just to feel you touch me would've made everything okay."
"It's okay now, darlin'."
Kevin closed his eyes and listened to Brianna moan softly as he slid into her.
Brianna was so happy. Everything
had worked out and now she was back in Kevin's arms. He was looking at her, she
could feel it, and she opened her eyes to match his gaze.
Kevin looked into Brianna's brown
eyes and immediately felt whole again. Leaning down he kissed her waiting lips.
They came softly one behind the other. Kevin kissed Brianna's neck and she
clung tightly to his strong shoulders.
Kevin kissed her again and
whispered against her lips. "I love you, baby. Please don't leave me
again."
Brianna pulled him close. "I
love you, too. If I leave again, it will only be because you've thrown me
out."
Kevin kissed her again and sighed.
Gripping her tightly, he drifted to sleep. His dreams were invaded by images of
Brianna and how happy he was that she was back.
***
